Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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170. To ask the Minister for Finance the status of persons (details supplied) who are in tax arrears; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9370/16]

Michael Noonan (Limerick City, Fine Gael)
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I am advised by Revenue that its clear preference is to engage with taxpayers experiencing tax payment difficulties and agree mutually acceptable solutions rather than deploying debt collection/enforcement sanctions to secure payment of outstanding liability.

However, such engagement is dependent on open and honest discussion by the taxpayer, including a clear commitment to agree a solution. Where the solution involves a phased payment arrangement, then interest, which is a statutory charge, must be included. The phased payment arrangement must also include clear commitment from the taxpayer in regard to the timely payment of future taxes as they fall due.

In regard to the specific case referred to by the Deputy, the persons in question have outstanding Capital Gains, Income Tax and Local Property Tax liabilities for various years which have not been addressed. As a consequence, Revenue recently issued notifications to the persons requesting payment within a specified period of time.

Revenue received no response from either of the persons in question or from their tax advisor in regard to the notifications issued nor was it made aware of the difficulties to which the Deputy refers.

The persons or their tax advisor should immediately contact the Office of the Collector-General at telephone 061 488753 to discuss the issues and to agree a mutually acceptable solution. Revenue has advised that any pending debt collection/enforcement activity will be temporarily put on hold to allow discussions to take place.